William Ray “Bill” Coomer, age 72, of Mendon, died Friday, May 3, 2016 at his home following a long illness. He was born in Paulding, Ohio on Sep. 20, 1943 the son of Robert L. and Wilma (Davis) Coomer. Bill graduated from Centreville High School in 1961 and later attended Kellogg Community College. He was a life-long farmer, and sponsor …

Several garages and vehicles were entered and items stolen between evening hours Wednesday and early morning Thursday in Park Township. State police said numerous calls were fielded regarding the breaking-and-entering incidents. They occurred on the north end of Fishers Lake in the vicinity of Thompson Lane. Unlocked garages and vehicles were entered and a variety of valuables taken. State police …

The St. Joseph County United Way has announced details regarding its annual golf outing fundraiser. The scramble starts at 10 a.m. June 10 at Sauganash Golf Club, on Lutz Road in Three Rivers. Cost is $65 per person or $260 for a foursome. The fee includes cart, 18 holes of golf, lunch and prizes. Tee sponsorships are available for $100 …

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has issued a media release regarding food-handling measures for picnic meals. Warmer weather provides a perfect environment for bacteria and other pathogens in food to multiply rapidly and cause foodborne illness, agency officials said. According to Paul Andriacchi, Environmental Health Director for the tri-county agency, many summer recipes call for preparing perishable foods such …

The father of a 14-year-old girl shot in the head during a deadly rampage in southwestern Michigan says the U.S. must realize it has a gun violence epidemic. The remarks from Gene Kopf came at a Thursday rally at Bronson Park in Kalamazoo that was part of the Wear Orange campaign. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports he says of the gun …

Daniel Grace’s high school golfing career can to an end Thursday at the MHSAA Regional in Coldwater at the Coldwater Golf Course. He had an up and down round with stretches of brilliant play, combined with some sloppy play. His score of 87 was fourth best among the 12 individual qualifiers. Paw Paw senior Nick Brausch led the individual qualifiers …

Pastor Elbert L. Foster, born Sept. 25, 1964 to Jessie L. Kelly and Raymond Banks, Jr., departed this life after a long and courageous battle with sickle cell anemia on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at Borgess Medical Center. Pastor Elbert Foster joined Ambassadors for Christ Church in 1992 under the Leadership of Apostle Joseph L. Stanford, became a licensed Deacon and …

Jack Klerk, 62, of Three Rivers, left this world on Memorial Day 2016. He was born in Kalamazoo where he grew up on Waite Avenue with the Winchell gang and graduated from Loy Norrix and Albion College with a biology degree. He went on to be a middle school science teacher on St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands where …

My name is Rocky. I am a big boy, about a year old, and very curious. I like people and sit upon command. I am learning to “come” when called, and I love tennis balls. I am looking for a family to finish teaching me manners. My Docket number is B2016-000163 at the St. Joseph County Animal Control Shelter located …

A business in Mottville Township was broken in to Wednesday morning. State police said the breaking-and-entering incident occurred between 1:30 and 6 a.m. at Fresh Solution Farms, on Blue School Road. An unknown amount of cash was taken from vending machines. The business is offering a cash reward for information leading to the conviction of the suspect.